Glo'shire player is Cirencester CC's guest of honour (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Glo'shire player is Cirencester CC's guest of honour

CIRENCESTER CC players and supporters turned out in force to welcome their guest of honour, Gloucestershire CCC left-arm spinner Ian Fisher, to the club's 2003 junior and senior presentation evening, supported by the Wheatsheaf.

The club's objective for the 2003 season was its 'regeneration programme' and this target was not only met but also surpassed.

The senior teams consolidated their positions with a number of younger players starting to really deliver.

Meanwhile, the junior set-up continued to improve and with the introduction of net nets and the wicket playing well, the whole ground looked better than for years

The evening opened with a round of applause for the committee, and particularly for the committed, high quality work of groundsman Dan Robbins.

This was followed by a warm welcome for the club president, Lord Apsley.

Ian Fisher, fresh from playing a key role in securing promotion to the first division of the County Championship, kindly attended to present the trophies and his introduction received a rousing ovation.

First XI captain Richard Graham, who paid tribute to the contribution of Dominic Jeffcott throughout the season, second XI skipper Phil Carter and the thirds' captain Brian Woodcock, announced the senior award winners.

The spotlight then switched to the juniors with announcements made by team managers Steve Harris and John Putney (U16s/15s/14s), Nick Price (U13s) and Vin Breen (U11s).

The highlights of the season were the winning of the Cotswold League by the U14s and U16s and success at the Poulton tournament for the U11s. The evening now moved on to the two most prestigious awards.

Chief junior coach Phil Carter announced Ed Alderman as the winner of the President's trophy for the Most Promising Player which was presented by Lord Apsley.

Brian Woodcock was then awarded the Clubman of the Year rose bowl for his terrific, all-round contribution in addition to his formal roles as captain of the 3rd XI and bar secretary.

Thanks were expressed to the Wheatsheaf for their support of the evening before Ian Fisher drew the raffle for prizes, generously donated by Argos, D and J Sports, Waitrose, Tesco, Cheltenham and Gloucester and Frizzell and also club members and vice-presidents.

A full set of photographs of the evening and list of raffle winners is available on the club web site at www.cirencestercricketclub.co.uk

The 2003 season award winners are named as follows:

First XI: The Wheatsheaf Plate for the Player of the Year, Andy Reynolds; Most exciting new player, James Shackleton; Bathurst Award for the Greatest Contribution to the Team, John Turton.

Second XI: Batting Award, Rich Hudson; Bowling Award, Phil Carter; Fielding Award, Dan Hudson.

Third XI: Most improved player, Tom Smith; Best Team Player, Tim Cambray; Best Club Player, Steve Newbegin.

U11s: Batting award, Michael and Rory Birtwistle; Bowling award, Alex Hewett; Fielding award, Tom Juniper.

U13s: The most enthusiastic team member, Fergus Marchington; The best all round performance over the season, Clive Brown, The best individual performances, Hugo Price.

U14s: Batting award, James Shackleton; Bowling award, Ed Alderman, Fielding award, Robin Newbegin.

U15s/16s: Batting award, Rich Hudson; Bowling award, James Constable; Fielding award, Peter Dukes.

Junior Coaches' award for the best U9s not playing in a team, Hugo Melvin.

President's Trophy for Most Promising Player, Ed Alderman.

Club person of the Year award (Stark Bowl), Brian Woodcock.